Programme Officer - Accreditation (ECOSOCC) at the African Union (AU)

The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organization of African Unity (OAU, 1963-1999). We are an Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Officer - Accreditation (ECOSOCC)

Requisition ID: 1493
Location: Zambia
Reports to: Head-Projects & Partnerships Unit
Directorate / Department: ECOSOCC
Division: Programmes Division
Number of Direct Reports: 1
Number of Indirect Reports: 0
Job Grade: P2
Contract Type: Regular

Purpose of Job

• Coordination of all activities related to the successful implementation of the African Union Harmonized Accreditation Mechanism for Civil Society Organizations the various activities of projects and programs to ensure successful implementation in line with the AU’s objectives, principles and policies including evaluating the programmes.

Main Functions

• Participate in the organisation of relevant meetings, congresses and conferences with stakeholders.
• Engage with relevant mid-level stakeholders and develop working relationships. Support the promotion of the activities of the Division including preparing leaflets, guidelines and fact sheets.
• Assist in drafting reports and participate in the preparation of budget and work programmes related to the functioning of the Unit/Division
• Provide technical support to internal and external stakeholders.

Specific Responsibilities

• Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Head of Programs Division and the direct supervision of the Head - CSO Engagements Unit, the Officer’s specific responsibilities revolve around the following tasks:  
• Overall coordination of the application process for CSOs seeking observer and consultative statuses with the African Union
• Promoting and supporting the efforts of institutions engaged in reviewing the future of Africa and forging pan-African values in order to enhance an African social model and way of life
• Fostering and consolidating partnership between the AU and CSOs
• Receive and process applications from civil society organizations for the granting of observer and consultative status to the African Union.
• Review CSO accreditation applications in line with relevant criteria stipulated in the AU Harmonized CSO Accreditation Framework.
• Prepare assessment reports with recommendations for the review and action of the approving authority.
• Coordinate all correspondence with civil society organizations in the application pool with regard to their candidatures, including provision of feedback, updates, and application support.
• Coordinate the continuous assessment procedures for accredited CSOs.
• Establish and build good working relations with CSOs, AU organs, ECOSOCC committees and other stakeholders in all accreditation process in such a manner that promotes the smooth and successful implementation of the AU Harmonized Accreditation Framework for CSOs.
• Maintain constant communication with AU organs to coordinate, manage, and problem-solve all issues regarding CSO accreditation.
• Maintain, update, and administer the African Union Online Accreditation Platform.
• Perform any other responsibility as may be assigned that goes towards promotion of programme objectives & fulfillment of ECOSOCC mandate.

Academic Requirements and Relevant Experience

• University Bachelor Degree in International Relations, Economics, Applied Statistics, Development Studies, Projects/Programme Management, or a related field with at least five (5) years of progressive work experience in specific area of economic development, including project design, implementation, monitoring and coordination. An international experience would be an added advantage.
• Candidate with a Master’s degree are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of progressive work experience.
• Conversant with Civil Society operations and procedures at national or international level.

Required Skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to work across business units / geographies; cultural sensitive environment  
• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (English, French, Arabic, Portuguese or Spanish), fluency in another AU language is an added advantage

Leadership Competencies:

• Change Management..
• Managing Risk.

Core Competencies:

• Teamwork and Collaboration;
• Accountability awareness and Compliance;
• Learning Orientation
• Communicating with Influence.

Functional Competencies:

• Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Job Knowledge and information sharing..
• Drive for Results
• Continuous Improvement Focus.

Tenure Of Appointment

• The appointment will be made on a regular term contract for a period of three (3) years, of which the first twelve months shall be considered as a probationary period.
• Thereafter, the contract will be for a period of two years renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and deliverables.

Languages:

• Proficiency in one of the AU working languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) and fluency in another AU language is an added advantage.

Remuneration
Indicative basic salary of USD31,073.00 (P2 Step1) per annum plus other related entitlements e.g. Post adjustment (57% of basic salary), a Housing allowance of USD21,832.68 (per annum), and education allowance (100% of tuition and other education-related expenses for every eligible dependent up to a maximum of USD10,000.00 per child per annum), for internationally recruited staff and a maximum of $3,300 per child per annum for locally recruited staff.

Application Closing Date
6th December, 2022.